Game 127, White Sox at Mariners
Dave · August 26, 2005 at 5:40 pm · Filed Under Mariners
Its Game Five of the Felix Hernandez Experience. We’re running out of superlatives. I’ve been told that if I put up another Felix worship post, I’m going to have my Stuffy Objective Analyst card revoked. If you’re not sure what we think about Felix, you can read this, this, this, or even this. And this too. You could say we’re obsessed. You’d be right.
All hail the King. Long live the King.
Comments
557 Responses to “Game 127, White Sox at Mariners”
USSM uses and recommends
Amen.
Werd.
Reverend Dave must realize that he’s just preaching to the people now.
Nothin’ wrong with that. I’ve always hated proseltyzing, anyway.
Evidently, I hate spelling, too.
USS Mariner is like the cult of King Felix
I thought this would be his first big major league pitching challenge, but after looking it up the White Sox are 10th in the league in runs scored and behind the twins in batting average. 3rd in home runs, though.
Guess the first big big test will come against the Yankees. If he shuts THEM down I’ll probably have to join the cult!
Yeah, the White Sox offense is not good.
You guys aren’t going to go to Jonestown or wherever and drink some kool-aid if Felix truly doesn’t pan out, are you?
On another note. I wonder what Felix will start to think of the offense (or the M’s in general) when day after day he gets little or no run support.
8: If Felix doesn’t pan out, I’m not sure if I have a reason to live.
whoops…
[/sarcasm]
Bookmark this: http://tinyurl.com/7shbb
“No photo available” is what shopkeepers will say next year when you try to buy a picture of KING FELIX.
11: I have that picture of Felix signed and framed.
It’s just really awesome to have a pitcher who can actually, like, strike out people. When is the last time the mariners had a strike-out pitcher? ….Randy?
before the game starts– and if it isn’t too OT (though there are similarities…) — has anyone been to a game the last few years on Sept 11th? we just realized our tickets next month fall on the day, and as I haven’t been at a ballpark around the anniversary since we came back to play in 2001, just wondered what the M’s did– is it just the same ‘God bless America’ and a military honor guard for the Anthem?
Bah, Chicago feed on MLBTV.
Wait… is that the “he gawn” guy? Is it? ‘Cause if it is I might cry.
I can’t not watch Felix… but being forced to listen to the worst announcer I have ever heard seems a rather harsh balance.
Nevermind… Seattle feed, it seems. Nobody panic. It’s all gonna be ok.
#15: Don’t worry; When Felix K’s a ChiSox batter, Hawk won’t say, “He gawn.”
15 Chicago feed at Safeco… I truly feel sorry for you “he gawn” and “you can put it on the board” have got to be the two most annoying catch phrases used by any baseball announcer. I hope the game I see does not have those announcers — excuse me I’ve got to puck!
“Felix has had three starts…”
Mike Hargove
An actual conversation…
Wife: Are you really going to stay up to watch Felix Hernandez?
Jason: Yes.
Wife: Is he worth it?
Jason: Yes.
jason
This might be the worst lineup card Hargrove has inked this year, or at least since the team had its eSpeziotomy.
16, your safe!
20, did your wife get jealous?
Yay! Seattle TV feed!
ray, nah. She’s opening at work tomorrow (6am start) and going to bed anyway.
jason
Carrie’s the best.
“Young Felix” count = 1. Ron’s well on his way.
Okay, Fairly has already called him Young Felix Hernandez once.
An actual conversation…
Girlfriend: Are you seriously refusing to go to the 8:15 showing instead of the 10:20 because of a nineteen year old pitcher?
John: Yes.
Girlfriend: I hate you.
My god! The comparison of the injury reports is quite striking… Seattle looks like a whole team is on the DL while for Chicago it’s a mere 2.
7. Yeah, this will probably be a very low scoring game.
Just his fourt start, and already he’s faced two Hernandezes. Weird.
jason
21 — It is essentially the same lineup from yesterday. Yorvit replaces Miguel II. I agree, however, that it is bad.
That’s good JMB, I hope she doesn’t mind you getting riled up about Felix’s K count — while she’s sleeping.
Corey Brock took advantage of sitting in on the KOMO pre-game Round Table to point out that he doesn’t want Felix’ pitch count to go too high, and that he doesn’t need to be throwing 115 pitches per outing.
NOOOO! Stupid MLB.TV…it will not let me pay for this game..says its upgrading its servers…why in the world would they do that in the middle of games?
mlb.tv is super slow today.
27, and that’s the difference between a girlfriend and a wife…
This is my first time using MLB TV. I’m in Hawaii right now, but I can’t miss Felix.
There’s another “Young Felix Hernandez”.
Young Felix keeps the ball down.
I am on a business trip to North Carolina. I am trying MLB TV for the first time. The picture just disappeared, though I still have sound. This could be very frustrating.
boy I’m glad there isn’t a “Young Hernandez” drinking game….
tibbar,
if you want to post your email address and see if someone will “loan” you an mlb.tv login for tonight, i’m okay with that.
Ah, its back. Here we go.
tibbar_eht@hotmail.com
nice job Ms!!
I know it’s been said before, but that 1-1 curve is beyond words.
Strikeout number one.
Still nothing worse than a single off Felix.
3 GAME HITTING STREAK FOR TIMO!!!
That curve is just… I mean, what do you do? How do you hit that? Why even try?
More 11 pitch innings please. That way even if he pitches a CG (presuming we give run support) he only throws 99 pitches…. May be the only way to save him from the new butcher, Hargrove.
Freakin NHK, they are showing some disater millions of miles away (Hurricane Katrine). Damn. I’m glad I don’t pay their fee. So what’s happening.
I read somewhere today that Bucky was called up, is that true?
Let’s make sure we get this in there:
“DH” Dobbs
jason
It’s Friday night here in Jonesboro, Arkansas and I’ve decided to put the social life on hold for one night to watch Felix.
That could be considered as sad, but so be it.
Pray for Felix.
Wow, because Ichiro *never* hits the ball up the middle.
jason
54: I had the date circled (as I do next Wed) in my planner since last week. No plans allowed tonight until 1030.
How long will it take the announcers to mentions Willy’s slump?
Bloomquist and Dobbs in the SAME lineup on the SAME day AGAIN? Ugh…
Root for Miguel Tejada to hit a HR, tying the game in Oak and taking on ER to Huston Street.
OT – For those of you in fantasy leagues around the globe…I’m watching the Braves/Brewers game between pitches and Ben Sheets just left with an arm problem. He threw a pitch to Chipper (batting lefthanded) that, no kidding, bounced halfway between Sheets and Chipper and went 10 feet BEHIND chipper. Sheets immediately called the dugout. Since I am using Tivo I went back and watched the two pitches prior to that one…and after both pitches…which were breaking balls for strikes, sheets was shaking his arm notcieably and no one came out from the dugout.
Why do I bring this up you ask? Becasue the other day I was one of the lone people on the side of 100-120 pitches don’t make a difference….what pitch did this happen on you ask? 104.
Doesn’t change my mind, but I did find it humorous in a bad kind of way. MAybe someone is trying to tel me something?
El Duque vs. El Cartelua.
Don’t forget that some of us fee-mails are watchin’ the thing ourselves.
As for me, I was exchanging email with my best friend in the afternoon… “do you
wanna go see that 40-year-old virgin movie tonight? oh… wait. felix is pitching.
maybe a late late show?”
#60
Are you serious???
Crap, I have Sheets in my keeper league.
#23 ray, I also made a killer dinner tonight so I’ve got a free pass for the evening.
Control problems for Felix or is it the jerk ump that hates the M’s
We won’t, as long as you’re here to remind us, token chick.
that’s the ticket JMB, that should keep you in the good graces until tomorrow morning.
Ump (Bill Miller) is squeezing the black
#63…yeah it didn’t look good. I have him as well. I wouldn’t joke about that!
ray… ump seems fine so far… the three balls were all low. Somewhat intentionally, I think., A.J. just laid off ‘em.
65
No he’s missing a little, but he’s missing in the dirt.
I know, I know. I try to smack myself down for self-righteousness half the time, honestly. But I’m just like “dude. girlfriends and wives behave like x when confronted with that weird thing baseball?”
I’ll shush now.
damn.
113 hitters, 1st extra base hit. Jermaine Dye?!
I’m guessing these guys are waiting on his fastball by all the fouls. I think Felix should go only change for awhile.
There goes the XBH streak.
jason
He’s off a little bit again. Control, pitch selection, not sure what, but he’s just a little off.
Niiiice. Man this kid has composure.
Well it’s good for Felix to experience a XBH now and then — it’ll make him a better pitcher because he’ll learn from it, right?
He’s off a little bit again. Control, pitch selection, not sure what, but he’s just a little off.
And yet, he’s allowed only two hits and walked zero.
The pickoff and now the snag on the hit up the middle. The kid’s head is in the game.
The fact that people can think a single and a double and no walks in two innings is ‘off’ speaks volumes about this kid.
I like him battling back after that 3-0 count.
I like how composed he seems fielding come-backers.
And, man oh man, I like that curve.
The Snoop Dog and Iacocca commercial? Too contrived.
C’mon, MLB.tv, buffer faster!
Somebody forgot to put the quotes around the DH for Dobbs. This could be the end of his hitting streak.
MLB is currently saying the Felix has one flyout? The cloest I can come up with is that lineout to Willie. Does that count as a flyout?
Did Beltre chase a bad pitch?
87 Yes, his breaking ball low and away nemesis.
“although the mariners have nothing to lose.”
the most accurate thing ron fairly has ever uttered.
Okay, Cuban vs. Cuban up next. Didn’t they both escape using a boat. Is this the first time in MLB history?
Correct, Ray. They just said that on the broadcast.
I want to say know. I mean, if nothing else, the pitchers have faced each other before.
MLB.tv is having a Ryan Franklin like performance.
Wow, I’m bad at typing today… NO, not know.
Oops. I was talking about them both escaping on a boat, not the first time in history.
Okay, maybe its good to have a 6′8″ First baseman.
So, I guess this is what we can expect from the M’s today: lots of flyouts. In Safeco who has a better chance of winning: a GB pitcher or FB pitcher?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The IP without XBH allowed stat they showed was wrong by a mile. Felix wasn’t even close to the record.
ok 95, so this is not the first time to players who escaped their country on a boat have faced each other, right? go it. Thanks.
Another..
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Damn, to a rookie!
Not Felix’s fault his hand was hurting…
You give it up to THAT guy? What’s going on Felix?
98
It’s alright, hes fine, the mariners are just being protective.
ah crap a homer
Why is there an injury delay? ^_^;
Well I’ll be. Maybe this Anderson kid is good too.
Yeah, hand hurting, great excuse!
Was that Anderson’s first homer?
I was about to say I’m glad he’s ok but then…
Is he OK?
Ray, I don’t know that for sure, but I am pretty sure. I’m sure a lot of players have escaped places from boats.
Ther’s the answer to a trivia question they’ll be asking some day – who hit the first bomb off Felix?
The number 9 guy homers off of Felix? Has the world gone mad? Have I just enter an alternate Universe where Felix is Franklin and Franklin is Felix? …….
Alright hes fine… That HR shouldn’t technically count cause his hand was stinging…
Yes, Anderson’s 1st HR, looks like Felix is fine!
Face it people, the king is coming back down to Earth.
If you thought at the age of 19 he could sustain a
Strikeout number 2.
Nice way to comeback, Felix
116: Give it 2 or 3 more innings, then we’ll see how far down to earth he is!
Bryan Anderson is pretty good. No idea why he’s batting ninth in a lineup that includes Timo Perez.
I think Anderson got lucky. He is hovering around the Mendoza line. I think Felix was just feeling charitable to a fellow Rookie. Watch next 2 or 3 times he will K him.
#116
One homerun and all of the sudden he isn’t as good anymore? Um… I don’t think so.
Brian Anderson just got called up from the minors. He’s their best prospect. He’s pretty good.
Hey, anyone looking for tix to Monday’s game? I got 2 in Section 116, Row 25 for $50 per ticket!
Has the USSM gone Ebay?
Anyone know how Jeremy’s stats compare to other Rookie OF’s this season? I’m truly curious!
135: Sorry, just gotta get rid of them, thought this place might be as good as any! My bad!
Ha ha, 125. I mean.
Guys, relax. If you haven’t noticed Felix’s fastball is pretty straight at times. I’m still not sure why that is, because I’ve seen him (usually) later in games throw a fastball that moves across the entire plate, which may be his 2-seam, however those tend to be slower and the straighter fastball that we see checks right around the same speed.
I think he just chooses to to throw a straighter fastball because he doesn’t have great command of the 2 seam.
But either way, don’t be surprised if he gives up a homer every once in awhile because his fastball isn’t unhittable. His curve and change on the other hand….
Okay, Torre, take one for the team. Oh, I hope Felix doesn’t retaliate.
That is one way to get on base.
129: I’m pretty sure it was a breaking pitch that got hit out.
Ouch… dirt down your pants. That’s gotta be uncomfortable.
Ichirooooo!
Way to go Yorvit!
I’d say Felix’s 4-seam and 2-seam fastballs both have more movement than just about any other pitcher in baseball. I’m pretty certain that allowing home runs isn’t going to be a problem for him.
That was pretty bold of Hargrove to call that. He really has some huevos.
That was a curve that the homer came on. Maybe he was looking for it.
For clarification of my last post. Generally a two seam fastball is slower than a four seam fastball. However, Felix seems to be able to throw the same speed with both kinds which is unusual.
I’m assuming the straigher fastball he throws is the four seam, and the two seam is the one that tails.
Ichiro REFUSES to see his BA dip behind .300… Here comes a rally killer
Hendu just said “El Dookie”
That’s the best move I’ve seen by Hargrove all year.
So, should Ichiro steal? How is Sox’s catcher’s arm?
Jesus, Bloomquist, that’s a new one: “I sucked in Texas because it was too hot for me to get a good grip.”
Ok, so how’s about the rest of your suck-ass August, Bloomie?
SQUEEZE!!!! YES!!!!
WOAH!!! Is Hargrove managing tonight?
Now, that’s good NL hitting Baseball! The Squeeze!!!!!!!!!!!
The Ignitor!
141. Better than “El Caca.”
Wow, ray being clairavoyant?
SQUEEZE – BLOOMIE!
GROVER – YOU DA MAN
but in the third inning???!
The squeeze is one of the most underrated plays in baseball. If I was a manager, I’d lead the league in squeeze bunts.
Hargrove has now been promoted from huevos to cojones!
that homer to brian anderson looked like a changeup. it just kinda floated into anderson’s wheelhouse. Felix needs to keep that changeup on the outside corner when he’s pitching it to righties.
Mark this day. August 26th, the first day this season I was impressed with a Hargrove in-game move.
152. Me too. I used to beg Lou to use it when we had a man on third, and too often the man died there.
It makes sense. If you’re going to sacrifice bunt and use up an out, why not do it in a situation where you score a run.
Does this mean that Hargrove was worried that Willie would GIDP?
No, I’ve got it – we’ll find out the rookie 3B coach had the signs screwed up and they never meant to do it!
Fairly: “It’d be interesting to see why Hargrove decided to put on the squeeze play:”
Well, lets see. Runners at first and third, 1 out, so a double play ends the inning without a run scoring. The hitter is in an 0-19 slump, and isn’t good even when he’s going well. But he is a good bunter.
It’s a no brainer. It’s like the perfect storm of events for the squeeze.
Yes, there have been so many games where Hargrove could have added runs with a simple squeeze, but instead he let bad hitters kill rallys. Now today he is finally managing!
156. It’s not Lou’s fault. He probably couldn’t hear you…
I don’t understand why squeezes and hit and runs aren’t used more… There is no defense for them if you execute…
Nahh, Grover was trying to get Willie a productive out. He’s had some lean games lately. Grover doesn’t want to see him lose the Ignitor label.
Dave said:
Not to be too hard on Hargrove but with WFB’s recent bunting woes, was that a great call? I’m thinking Hargrove meant to say “swing away” and the signals got mixed up.
159: Right, that would be why a competent manager used the squeeze. But the question remains, why did Hargrove do it?
158, lol. I wouldn’t be surprised
Well crap. That isn’t how I expected that xhtml tag to work. Never mind.
Dave, good research finding the 0-19 stat.
Another reason to squeeze – you don’t figure to need a lot of runs with The King on the mound.
Cue incessant praise for Willie getting the squeeze down.
Didn’t Lou win a Division Series by calling a clinching game ending squeeze? If you ask me, that’s good enough to put him in the Squeeze Hall of Fame.
Did Carl Everett really say “Good golly”?
156
I think seeing a play like that be successful has got to invigorate the team and especially the pitcher — the manager showing such confidence as to add one run at a time. I think if Franklin were pitching Grover would have not called for that.
White Sox really fouling a lot of balls off.
I like how it looks like he’s about to bust out laughing sometimes before he throws a pitch.
Felix now at about 53 — is that good or bad?
A.J. is personally responsible for about 25% of Felix’s pitch count.
NASTY!!!
kkkking
Only 3 pass balls? Maybe JoeJessica could teach Wiki a few things.
over that actually 178. 15/57.
177. No big deal. Grover said before the game that management will have him pull Felix after 140 pitches.
I didn’t see the pitch that Felix threw that Anderson hit the home run on, because I’m in California for a one week vacation.
And I’m not saying that Felix is going to give up alot of home runs, because even if his 4 seam fastball is as straight as one threw by…lets say Matt Thornton (which it’s obviously not) if it’s still 97 mph it’s going to be hard to hit with his other additional pitches.
His fastball moves a great deal, especially his two seam. But if you watch lets say Kerry Wood throw a four seam fastball, it..I would argue his has more movement than Felix’s. But I don’t know of any pitcher in baseball that throws a harder two seamer than Felix if that is what it is….I’m really not sure. I would love to see what Felix is actually doing with his hands on the ball…The movement on some of his pitches seem to very based on how badly he needs an out sometimes which..to me is truly scary.
Rusty,
You’re probably thinking of this game: http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B10060SEA2000.htm
Guillen, pinch-hitting for Joe Oliver, drags one up the 1B line to the not-so-mobile Frank Thomas. There was conroversy on this one, as it appeared on replays that Guillen stepped on the plate while batting. Dave, was this the game where I had a ticket for you at the last minute, or was that ALDS Game 5 the next year?
jason
60 pitches through 4 innings is league average. For Felix, its struggling. But considering 70 percent of his pitches are for strikes, I think its pretty likely that he’s able to get through the next 3-4 innings efficiently.
Is it lunner or linner?
The White Sox are 13th in the AL in BB’s, but oddly they are 5th in P/PA. So they’re kind of a weird mix of plate discipline. They must foul off a lot of balls without drawing many walks.
Felix seems to be throwing more pitches in this game.
At least they see all those pitches. Better than just hacking up there.
I think Sexson should just wait for OH’s change and smack it to the upper deck in right. That would be sweet.
That was the next year, and I think it was game 4. I paid someone $40 to take my shift so I could come watch Jamie Moyer kick the crap out of the Indians with you. At one point, he went through the middle of the order with strikeouts. Thome, Burks, Gonzalez, the whole gang. Great times.
Is it just me or have we witnessed an odd amount of dropped fly balls this season…
Also, Griffey Jr has hit HR 31, and 32 this season!!!
There’s a break
Base hit my ass. I hate the scoring in MLB.
Jason, yes it was the Guillen drag bunt up 1B line. It was against these White Sox in 2000.
Gamecast says “Sexson singled to shallow center” — bloop single?
Go Junior!
#192, I was just telling my roomie that nothing gives me chills like watching Junior go deep…brings back soooo many good memories
194: It’s because they can’t give the Error to anyone specific. It still sucks, but I believe it’s true!
Hernandez has Beltre looking silly tonight…
I’d like to see Felix hit Brian Anderson with that brushback pitch of his. You gotta protect your own catcher.
You were right, Jason. Game 5.
I think I am already going to have to give Beltre the goat for the game.
Ray… it was an error. Ridiculous scoring. It was a really high but routine pop-up that the fielders lost sight of. No way it was a hit. It fell right between two confused fielders.
Nah, it was Game 5. Game 4 was a Sunday, and I know I was at work. Also Moyer pitched Game 5.
http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B10150SEA2001.htm
jason
I stand by the moniker: Bustre.
There, I got the over with for the evening.
Anderson, in CF, is coming in on the ball and probably has the easiest play. Give him the error. Or create a “team errors” category, like team rebounds in basketball.
jason
I wanna see Bucky at DH now. Dobbs provides no excitement. I know Bucky is doing poorly now in Tacoma, but with Bucky one swing and it can be in the upper deck — with Dobbs one swing and it can be a single.
Thanks John. I had thought that “shallow center” looked strange
I really wish someone would track a “bats broken” stat. I’d almost guarantee that Mariano Rivera leads the world in bats broken per batter, and I’d imagine Felix, through 5 starts, would be right behind him.
Speaking of chills, I can’t help but think of Paul Abbott almost every time someone’s bat breaks and the barrel of the bat goes flying into the infield.
Speaking of things I’d like to see us do more often (which Hargrove does a lot more than Lou) is greenlighting the batter when it is three and 0. So often the 3-0 pitch is a batting practice fast ball right down the middle.
Dave: Did you ever use anything but an ash bat?
Ron: Well, let’s see, there was the corked bat, the superball bat…
Wow. You gotta really hate Beltre to make him the goat after two at bats.
And if people can’t do better than “Bustre” they should probably just skip the nickname game.
213. He would never admit to those things, because Frank Robinson, Curt Schilling and David Wells would call for his stats to be erased…
Felix on his “bad days” is pretty impressive
LOL Brian Anderson whiifffed! whoa
208 I would like to see Bucky too, but last I checked Dobbs has more homers with Seattle than Buky has with Tacoma.
Just goat for the day, not the season. Everybody on the team has been at least once, except Felix.
Sit down, sir.
Revenge!
Dave, JMB, I was at that game too. I was in the lower level, down the LF line. (BTW, Having a family member who works for ticketmaster is really nice)
I don’t know that Fairly would really mind if his stats were erased.
12 pitch 5th inning, 9 of them strikes. 2 K’s and a weak groundout. He’s rolling.
218, still, there is so much more potential for power with Bucky and damed if can only run like Edgar. At this point in the season the M’s need to see if Bucky is the DH for 2006. Dobb’s future is not DH, only bench.
BTW, Felix: 6 SOs, 4 of them on called strike 3. Yeah, they have no idea what to look for from him.
c’mon Felix.. hit somebody
Holy crap!!
Yorvit has turned into a good pickup
YORVIT! That is some revenge.
JOEJESSICA!!!!!!!!!
unit vs. felix on wednesday!
After watching Ojeda, yesterday, I certainly prefer Yorvit.
Wow, Joe Jessica has scored all our runs. He is having a great game.
They say if Torrealba can just get a chance to play everyday he can turn into a good catcher… I think we may be seeing that… Hes had some REALY good games…
Yorvit is having a really nice August.
So, both number 9 hitters have homerd. What a game!
I’d still like to see the M’s go after Jojima.
They really are fouling off a lot of Felix’s pitches.
I think the White Sox gameplan was to foul off as many balls as humanly possible and try to beat the bullpen.
240: That’s a good gameplan.
240: you know, good plan . . . oh wait, just kidding!
240, I think your right and if other teams catch on then the M’s are screwed but Felix will probably adjust and pitch more outside to miss bats.
RE 240: Seems to me to be going along those lines also. Although, what else could they possibly hope to do?
Yeah it is. How else are you supposed to beat him?
Hmm, spoke too soon. Two singles in a row.
Oh, oh, what’s happening here?
Apparently, in Hendu’s world, latin america doesn’t have newspapers.
If Felix gets you 0-2 you’re done. He could throw any of 4 pitches for that third strike that move 4 different ways.
Siddddddown, b*****!
Very impressive K
They’re finding holes. It happens. This is the DIPS theory in action. He’s fine.
Wow, that was some racist tripe good ol’ Hendu was spouting, eh?
Great! gamecast just froze. ANyone..what’s happening?
How about 96 up by the chin? Yikes.
take that!!! you Yankee scouts
god this kid is awesome!
They aren’t even swinging. FEEELLLIIIIXXXX!!!!
I would have to say that Felix is in “The Zone” even this late in the game. WOW!!!! 8 Ks!
And to think, I’d call this “average” Felix.
WOOOOOOOOOO
Nice way to get out of a jam.
You just can’t pitch better than the King just did to Konerko and A.J. You just can’t.
Like I said, he’s fine. Send him out there for the 7th, let him get three more outs, and thank him for another fine performance.
He now has 4 walks and 38 strikeouts on the season.
What! What! I’m going crazy here being without my info fix….what just happened?
254. Felix gave up two singles and then struck out the next two hitters.
Has anyone else notices that the King is a F-ing stud? WOW
SIT DOWN! It’s only a matter of time before we hear, “Who’s your Daddy?”, even though Felix is the youngest player in the MLB….
Maybe I was a little early to jump off Felix, though I do expect him to fall back down to Earth sometime soon.
On another note can you say sayonara to Felix’s arm for me? He’s on 93 pitches through 6 and I’ll bet Mike ‘the apprentice butcher’ Hargrove keeps him out til the end of the 8th.
Bloomquist pops out on the second pitch he sees, Dobbs is DHing and Morse is sitting. WHYWHYWHY????
If Bucky’s coming up, who are they sending down? It should be either Dobbs or Bloomquist, but if course that’s impossible.
Wrong Hernandez, Peekay
Never mind. It unfroze. Amazing. Anyway, he is at 93. Should he be pulled? They have been fouling off a lot of pitches. His count could get really high next inning. Let’s hope hope the M’s score like crazy so Felix doesn’t have to go back out there.
Because Morse is hitting like .245 in his last 160 at-bats?
Man, great throw by Pierz… Peer… AJ.
That was a freaking perfect throw.
If I were the Manager, I’d take him out now, but knowing Hargrove, he’s going for the complete game…
#271 – You sure? Gameday tells me Orlando Hernandez has 82 pitches (56 strikes) and Felix Hernandez has 93 pitches (68 strikes).
Why was Ibanez running. First, Hargrove calls some good plays and now this bonehead play. Jeez!
Dave: he’s still hitting better than Bloomquist, and I doubt Morse has only walked TWICE in his last 100 at bats.
Bloomquist *still* sucks, Rick’s boy-crush on him notwithstanding.
I think he’s fine for the 7th. He’s perfectly capable of another 12 pitch inning, getting him out of there at 105.
If Bucky’s coming up, who are they sending down?
More than likely no one. Sept. 1 is six days away.
The choice isn’t really between Morse/Willie, though, unless you want Betancourt moving over to 2nd base.
One more inning max.
280: I really believe they will only allow him 105, or to get out of the inning.
well, that was good for the pitch count.
#280 – After reading the Grovers comments on Felix’s pitch count what makes you believe that he wouldn’t send him back out for the 8th if he had 105 after 7?
One pitch outs are a good way to keep his arm healthy.
That’s what we needed, a one-pitch out.
What?! Thornton isn’t up in the bullpen?
Another encouraging thing I’ve seen tonight is Felix got to a few 3 ball counts early and came back with good pitches to avoid yielding a walk.
Man, he gets a lot of comebackers right to him.
DAMN he’s amazing at those back-to-the-mound hits!
How good is this guy defensively? Seriously, he seems to grab some balls that most pitchers just can’t.
I hope they put Sherrill in. Anyone have a better idea?
Man he is also a terrific fielder
peekay… you’re either going to have to define what you mean by “fall back down to earth” or just explain why you want to be so negative about him.
What has he done to make you believe he is not a fantastic pitcher?
Apparently Dwight Gooden didn’t exist in Henduland either. That must be a weird place.
I used to have reflexes when *I* was 19.
Wow, Uribe just looked silly on those first 2 swings – Impressive that even Rizzs almost laughed.
Thornton: NO!
Sherrill: YES!
#295 – He IS an amazing pitcher, and amazing talent. But take a look at his Tacoma numbers and you’ll see he is pitching beyond himself currently.
Hendu is talking about velocity in late innings… didn’t we already discuss this?
290, you jinxed him.
Felix looks PISSED that he gave up that walk.
Do the M’s have anyone up in the bullpen?
Maybe a walk isn’t so bad if it signals to Hargrove that he shouldn’t pitch the 8th.
M’s bullpen vs. Sox’s bullpen… who wins?
since CBS and MLB don’t seem to indicate it, can anyone confirm whether there’s any pen action for the Ms?
Okay, he is starting to look a little tired. Ball four was way off.
tibbar… Putz and Sherril are up.
Sherrill and Putz have been throwing since the whole inning.
Yeah, he looks fatigued to me.
The control of the fastball is slipping as he tries to keep the velocity up.
Sherrill and Putz are up.
He was pretty damn good in AAA, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was getting bored.
His arms are dropping prematurely in his motion. I would take him out ASAP.
._.
Sorry, never could get mlb.tv to work just been watching through gamecast.
Awwww shit.
crap it all to heck!
F**k!
uh-oh, Felix is done! Get him out!
See?
ummm….wtf?
Another home run. At least his hat stayed on.
As I was saying…
WTF!?
So much for his curve ball being unhittable.
NOOOOO!!!!!!!
CRAP!
Ehh, it happens. No big deal.
No Fing way. Not again. The 9 hitter. That’s really too bad. Game over!
So much for his curve ball being unhittable.
I honestly can not believe they left him in…
Bloody hell. Is there any hope the M’s can get him a ND.
Come on hitters – let’s score 2.
a little more down to earth – he got tired! Can you all tell?
I think Anderson has rookie no fear, he doesn’t yet know he shouldn’t be able to do this against the King so he does what no one else can.
So much for his curve ball being unhittable.
What pitch did he hit?
Fastball/Curve/Change?
Ray
Remember our 9 hitter scored our runs too.
Brian Anderson now has two homeruns this year.
I don’t care about the W/L or anything like that…but when he clearly had lost something (walking the 8 hitter), and you’ve got guys ready in the pen, and he’s thrown 105+ pitches…why not pull him while he (and you) are ahead?
Felix’s faced 28 batters. He struck out 8 and walked 1. Of the 19 balls that were put in play, all of 4 happened to be flyballs. If this is “coming back to earth”, than earth is renamed Planet Cy Young.
Well on the bright side, he has allowed only 3 runs which is more than I can say for any other M’s pitcher.
The site went down almost right after he gave up that homerun..
Coincidence?
Why the angst? 3 runs in 7 innings is a solid MLB start.
Someone hit RickL, he’s stuck.
#334 Til this game he hadn’t given an XBH.
In this game he gives up two home runs to some ‘prospect’ from the Chicago minors system and a double to Jermaine Dye. Yes that does sound like coming back down to earth, not to mention the 7 hits…. I do fear when his control problems start returning that he suffered from in Tacoma.
See, I knew they should have taken him out. I had a bad feeling about it. God dang…
Brian “Good-lookin’ kid” Anderson is the Felix killer
Can we start the Fire Hargrove web site yet?
That part that sucks is that it turns another dominate game line into a merely good line. All because he couldn’t get either guy out when he had them 1-2.
When they highlighted the homer did Hendu say: “You know, you could kinda see this coming…” ?
Great job, Hargrove and Price. Felix with 112 pitches thru 7 innings.
/sarcasm off
344: Because our lowly M’s are making El Duque of all people look like Cy Young – just like they ALWAYS do with opposing pitchers!
Relax guys..every stud pitcher in history has had one or two guys who owned them. Usually a scrub with no other discernable talents. Anderson may be Felix’s achilles heel, if so that’s life.
Well, the game is up to Yorvit because no one else is doing anything… towel please
peekay, what do you expect from Felix the rest of the year: An era of 2.00? 3.00? 4.00?
344, It is a solid start. He was indeed tired. You could see it. I hope they don’t put him in in the 8th like they did last game.
It’s Grover’s fault? Wow.
No, we just don’t like him
I love how when Felix starts to show just a hint of mortality that you people start freaking out.If you honestly expected to keep up this pace then your nuts.He is NOT that good.
J.J. “Floodgate” Putz up. I’d like to see him dive for a ball again.
#346
If you call Felix’s outing tonight back down to earth, then Zach Duke has already been obliterated into the surface of this planet.
Goose,
I don’t think anyone here is freaking out. It’s just like, “Aw man”.
Who’s freaking out Goose?
It mostly seems to lament the unluckiness of it. Just irritating that he had such a dominating line until that second HR by some punk.
How many players do we have that have that same retarded soul patch?
345. I apologize for the multiple posts. My browser hung when it was trying to post the comment. I didn’t think it was going through. I may have hit return a couple of times.
1. Yes, I believe it’s Hargrove’s fault. He should have taken him out based on pitch count, not the situation. Five letters: L-I-V-A-N
2. I really don’t care that he gave up the HR, and I don’t think anyone “owns” him. We’re still in the “too small of a sample size” world, wrt to both good and bad stats.
I don’t think this is “an omen”, or an indication that he has control problems, or anything of the sort. He was just tired, and should’ve been pulled. Period.
Don’t worry guys, we’ll win this game. Torrealba is coming up soon!
19 of the 28 batters Felix faced put the ball in play. He got 12 groundballs, 3 flyballs, 2 line drives, and 1 infield fly.
2 of the 3 flyballs left the yard. Evidence shows that about 10 % of all fly balls go for homers, and pitchers don’t have much variation from that.
I’ll take a pitcher getting 8 strikeouts, 1 walk, and a 12-3 GB/FB rate every single time. It was an outstanding outing.
Torrealba bats this inning. Time for revenge.
Agreed Dave. Although it’s too bad that I don’t get fantasy points for K/B and GB/FB ratios.
What would you say the over/under for total K’s will be for next Wednesday’s game between Big Unit and Felix
17?
20?
I think there’s a pattern here. They’re overworking Felix.
I would take the under on both of those.
El Duque is also looking a bit tired.
Felix threw a good game. If you want to lament something turn your emotions to the M’s lack of offense. Felix pitched well enough to win and would have if he had any offense.
Personally, I think since he was pitching 97 mph that blaming Hargrove for not pulling him is armchair managing in hindsight. He gave up 1 walk, big deal. His command might have been fraying a little but it was still probably better than 75% of our bullpen. And there’s no doubt that his stuff continued to be better than 100% of our bullpen, even on pitch count 112.
From PI: “Claimed off waivers: Cruceta,24, 6-4, 5.19 in 30 games with the Buffalo Bisons.”
M’s pick up more crap.
So, tomorrow, good Joel? Bad Joel?
Torrealba owns Hernandez.
The Mariners really should win this game. Felix was awesome. Most teams would win. If only we had an offense….
380, today’s game just show that the M’s have so many holes, sans Felix, there is no way to turn this team around in year (2006) or maybe two.
I just want to go on record and comment on how wrong it is for Ichiro to take away a GIDP opportunity from WFB.
Speaking of people who look tired, Bloomquist has been looking exhausted lately. I thought Hargrove said he was going to give him a rest about a week ago.
377: Some of us were calling for the hook before the HR and if I could see his mechanics were wavering, then there’s no excuse for Grover and BP.
THE IGNITOR!
WILLIE!
WILLIE SAVES THE DAY!!!!
…wtf?
He can even ignite a No Decision.
Your disparagement of The Ignitor only makes him stronger.
In this wierd game, It ahad to be The Ignitor.
The Ignitor!!!!
See? Our negative comments help Bloomie.
Even a blind pig . . . . .
Wow, Ozzie is channeling Hargrove here.
I thought his mechanics looked fine.
Come on Raul!
#390 – Oh, I only wish.
There was nothing wrong with the way Felix was pitching. Sometimes it happens, sometimes you just tip your hat to the batter.
Speaking of bad management decisions, why are they sticking with Hernandez here. He is past putting a fork in him.
I only called for it because I didn’t want him to get into 100 pitches, but oh well.
I said if bloomie homered I’d kiss his picture. Okay, this is good enough. Here’s to you Bloomie, muah!
WILLIE!!! FOR ALL YOU WILLIE HATERS!!! LOOK AT HIM!!!
Actually he got lucky BUT GO WILLIE!!!
I’m going to bed.
Yeah, thats like his 4th extra base hit all year.
With 2 outs, and having almost struck out the batter he walked, I don’t care what his mechanics were. He was still a better option to get that 3rd out than anyone in our bullpen except maybe Eddie. No blaming Hargrove in my household.
9th inning, at home, tie game. A save situation is impossible for the rest of the game. Eddie Guardado should pitch the 9th every single time in this situation. Hargrove never uses him here. Ever.
It drives me freaking insane.
Jeez, Yorvit and WFB doing all the damage today. Who would have thunk! Yormin plus WFB = Yormie
Well, I’m pretty impressed with MLB.tv. I thought it would be more choppy, but it’s awesome.
Wait, we’re staring an extra innings game in the face, and he lets George Sherrill throw one pitch?
This is just awful bullpen management.
Quit overmanaging you fatass.
Sherill threw one freaking pitch.
wooooooo! If Bucky were DH, in the next inning you’d have 3 power guys coming to bat instead of two, damn!
And now he’s bringing in our other long reliever. WTF IS THIS?
I thought Dye was a lefty, no?
409. Don’t worry. He knows he has Thornton in reserve.
Hargrove leaving El Cartuela out there to pitch the entire 7th… not bad decision. Hargrove failing to put Eddie in for the 9th? Horrible!
[quote=Rusty]I dont care what his mechanics were.[/quote]
The point where a pitcher’s mechanics start to break down is exactly when injury becomes a risk. More than pitch counts, velocity, or anything, the mechanics are the best indicator. What’s more important, winning tonight’s game or not letting Felix pitch when his mechanics are dropping?
Not to mention Jeff Nelson in the ‘pen.
411. You’d sit Raul for Bucky?
Dan Rohn of Tacoma used Sherrill for whole innings, not just one guy, Dan Rohn has suffered injuries and callups to his team, and look at his team now… I think Rohn deserves a shot to be a big league manager somewhere.
A brilliant move by Grover
oops, wrong spot in the order, sorry.
418, the DH is Dobbs
422, yeah, see 421.
1 out and guy on second and a flyball pitcher. Oh, this looks bad. Well, at least Felix gets a ND.
Hendu is totally right. Beltre has to make that play.
Don’t you guys remember? Dobbs is a power hitter too! Remember he hit a homerun in his first ML AB? That makes him a power hitter, guys!!!
/sarcasm
Also, I read it as PH, not DH, I thought you were talking about Pinch Hitting Bucky, my bad.
419. Like Seattle, maybe
This bullpen really needs some strike out ground ball guys — oh Atchi were art thou?
Thornton is warming up, but Eddie hasn’t pitched. It’s a tie game. A save situation is impossible.
Why not just send Eddie home? Why even keep him at the park?
Long Sufferin’… it’s not 100% apparent that your evaluation of his mechanics is exactly spot-on. And even if it were true, then how many pitches did he throw with these bad mechanics… 10 maybe?
I’m all for protecting Felix’s arm, but I think you can over-protect.
What happens if his mechanics go temporarily awry in the 3rd inning? Do you pull him at that point? It happens to the best of pitchers that early in the game. And managers and pitching coaches across MLB allow their pitchers to pitch out of it.
If you don’t think this team can’t be turned around by next year your crazy… Were 2 pitchers and 1 hitter away we have the money…
430: In fact, Eddie hasnt’ pitched in almost 2 weeks! That’s sad!
Julio!!
Maybe next inning we can get lucky with a walk and one of Yubet’s clutch triples.
# 411 Ray, I also like Bucky but he is struggling in Tacoma:
11 games. 40 ABs, 6 hits (3 of them dbls)
OBP .261 Slg .225 Avg .150
Plus, I haven’t seen him but some posters have reported here that he is still limping and is overweight. Maybe we won’t see him before next year. He may be better served heading to Peoria this winter getting in shape and grooving his swing.
433. Yes he has. And he hasn’t pitched well. He has given up runs in his last two appearances.
I think its dissapointing that Felix has to pitch against the Yankees after going over 107 pitches in his previous 2 starts…
Heart of the order (more or less)
Here we go!
433
He pitched yesterday.
432, I think we are 6 pitchers (4 rotation, two bullpen) and two hitters (one power, one high Avg/OBP) away from contending.
Has anyone heard if a player has ever checked out this site and participated? I wonder what Willie would think if he hopped on the site. That would be funny.
I think Ray might be right.
443
Funny? It would be sad, dude. How do you think he would feel?
438: Already making up excuses? Give the guy a chance to prove himself.
440: Sorry, didn’t know. I had heard as of yesterday afternoon, it had been 12 days!
It was ironic today, that the only walk Felix gave up came back to haunt him — actually it’s pretty bad luck I think.
As I was saying…
OK, a walk, two steals, and a passed ball?
Schilling was checking out BoSox Blogs just before making the decision to allow a trade to Boston.
Dobbs has homerun power?
Hendu…no
$449 – Bad luck = Being a Mariner.
448 — Come on, it is not THAT bad. The truth does hurt, though.
453, lol, it’s so funny because it’s true…. whah hah hah hah!
Beltre just laid off 4 low and outside pitches….
in a row….
Guess this guy likes to read the scouting reports.
Atleast Dobbs didn’t GIDP
Let’s go YoonBug
That strike three swing was beautiful.
Let the man steal!
458, did you ever see “I’m gonna git you sucka” — He OGed! How did he go to the bathroom with all that gold on
#447– Bobblehead said: “440: Sorry, didn’t know. I had heard as of yesterday afternoon, it had been 12 days!”
no, in fact he’d pitched 3 times in the last 12 days…
Guardado in the 10th?
We got the walk, only, damn! Extra innings!
461 I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve also had 6 Stellas tonight though, so you’ll have to bear with me.
Wow, I just found ut that it’s Felix vs. The Big Unit on Wednesday.
465, It’s made by Keenan Ivary Wayans. It’s hilarious. You’ve got to rent it.
The Mariners better trade for this guy – or shoot him.
Turn out the lights, the party’s over….
Man, I used to hate when Don Merideth would sing that on MNF.
So what is the crowd like at Safeco? Are they leaving yet? Are there many people?
470 — They all left when the King exited the building.
Well, better for Mateo to have an L than Felix. Now, don’t be surprised! Isn’t this what we’ve come to expect from the bullpen.
Tonight’s episode: “Brian Anderson’s gonna git you sucka”
upon catching up on back posts missed while gone
#378–ray said:”From PI: “Claimed off waivers: Cruceta,24, 6-4, 5.19 in 30 games with the Buffalo Bisons.â€
M’s pick up more crap.
Mateo looks like he could be anywhere from 25 to 55 years old.
Everett is a kook. Strike him out!
#474– that should have had the final line, “see Week #22 in review for comments re: Cruceta”
Ok. If Mateo can get out of this one, then I’ll kiss him too. Man this is getting disgusting.
Somebody should clone a Stegasaur just to piss off Everett.
I wish this thing would wrap up soon, Battlestar Galactica is almost on.
We should of got Anderson instead of Olivo in the trade last year!!!
yee-freakin’-haw!
479, which version, disco or techno?
479 — OK, we are all geeks for being on here on a Friday night, but you just took it to a new level. Battlestar Galactica?!?!?
Mateo is looking good. Torrealba will get another chance to win the game.
Ok Mateo. Muah! If I have to kiss anymore guys I’m quitting the bloging!
Score one for the dinosaurs!
483 LOL
483, don’t include me, it’s Sat afternoon here!
480, how about Anderson instead of Reed?
Reed is like the Anti-Reed of last year. I hope he turns it around next year or we can call the Garcia trade a full on bust.
482 – Techno, of course. One of the best shows on TV if you haven’t sen it.
483 – I work tomorrow morning so I have an excuse
488 — What, are you watching the game in Russia or something?
#488
Aussie Aussie Aussie…..
(Sadly can’t sing that about the cricket atm).
Ichiro get two green lights!? Wow. And he’s ahead in the count and fouls out to third. What is wrong with him? He is like totally lost — did aliens replace the real Ichiro!
Anyone noticing how Ichiro seemingly pops up to the excact same place every at bat?
No, I’m in Japan. The game won’t be broadcast till late afternoon but I can’t wait. So I just have this and game cast.
Come on, Mateo, give me a “He gone!”
496 — You, sir, are a loyal fan and I commend you.
Is Grover thinking about Denny’s yet?
498, thanks. That’s why I keep saying in this blog and others for the M’s to get Jojima (catcher w/some power) and Matsuzaka.
No! Ichiro doesn’t pop up to the same place. Go to MLB.com and check out his Hit Chart. You can select pop ups and see he hits them all over the place.
Perpimpski is the Eckstien of catchers.
Willie, your not half as good as Yuni. Get over it.
This discussion of speed versus power by Hendu and Rizzs is among their most moronic. Um, I don’t remember the Red Sox stealing a lot of bases last year….You know, the world champion Red Sox???
Infield hit to second — is this a case of WFB giveth and taketh?
Come on, ump, he totally swung on that.
There are quite few fans still there.
I know how to end this game quickly, bring in Hansen for Sexson, and Ojeda for Yorvit, then Hasegawa for Mateo. That’ll do it.
He gone!
4 Ks for Mateo.
Felix seems to have inspired Julio.
Augh, I just saw Sandfrog! Was that a sign!?
was that Spiezio in that Fox Sports Net quickie promo???
Haha… they’re still showing that little Mariner promo where Spiezio is playing air guitar on his bat. How appropriate.
How valuable is a guy like Mateo? He comes in and gets the job done…..you need 2+ innings? He’s your man……M’s need to find more of these cheap, effective relievers……
If Willie wins it in the 11th, you can add another 3 years to his inevitable extension.
Ump makes up for the bad call on Dye
OOey, Igniter looked bad there.
Well, Ibanez is sort of a Mr. Clutch HR guy
I can stand A.J. He seems like a pompous jack-ass. I hope Sexson fouls a ball of his noggin.
Strike my comments from the record
This game needs to end. I go to school at Southern Illinois Univeristy and am recording a sports cast to air tomorrow morning. Lucky me we cover the White Sox.
Come on Richie, send us all home!
I meant “I CAN’T stand A.J.”
Another way to get the ball game over with is for Sexson to hit it out of the park
521 — Can you do a report on why Hawk Harrelson is still gainfully employed by the club?
I think the M’s hitters are getting tired. And no one on the bench (of value) — screw this, I’m taking a shower.
#521
We need to get to Wednesday
Big Unit vs. King Felix
Self-explanatory
AND I’M GOING!!!!!
Umm.. where’s Eddie? Abducted by aliens?
This game may come down to who gets to their number nine hitter first.
I guess they get to their number 9 first.
The Russian judge gives it a 7.5.
I liked Nellie better when he had the perm mullett circa-early ’90s.
OK, just kidding. I hated that thing.
524 That would make for a good story.
“So, Mr. Harrelson. Your you can put it on the board, is the single most reason I mute Baseball Tonight because for whatever reason, ESPN feels the need to carry the game’’s announcers at a very small level. Even at this sometimes barely audible level, I can’t stand you. How does it make you feel?”
I really do that too, anybody else?
I don’t mind staying up, I’d be up following the game at home if I wasn’t at work.
I have a bad feeling with Nellie coming in though…
Ugh, Jeff Nelson in.
I realize that Hendu is generally not liked on this board, but I’ve always liked his goofy observations, like this “star on the helmet” thing for Brian Andersen. He’s funny.
Nelson out. Finally. When can we DFA him, so he can go beat up a groundskeeper?
Somebody help me out, who do we still have in our bullpen? I don’t think we should go to Eddie now, unless we’re “stealing” an inning to give a long relief guy time to warm up.
I’d bring in a long relief guy, and save Eddie for if that guy gets into a jam.
Eddie is going to get lit up. Everyone knows closers can’t pitch in non-save situations.
Eddie! With Shiggy warming up.
537, which is why I don’t agree with bringing him in now.
What did Rowand say?
Eddie must of gave homeplate umpire plate a Christmas card last year to get that call
Dem rookies getting us tonight!!!
#537
we have a winner
You can put it on the board, YES!
NOOOOOOOOO!
Ugh, Eddie serves up Iguchi for a 2-runner.
And the ChiSox won this game with little ball, right, Hendu?
Clearly small ball is the reason for the White Sox’ success.
How fitting. Nelson and Eddie lose the game for the M’s. They should have traded Eddie when they had the chance. What’s that death march song again…
I still can’t believe Dustin Hermanson is a closer. Of course, so is Todd Jones.
My Grandma could beat Hendu in an arm-wrestling contest.
Felix must be say now, “Que mierda, tengo que jugar por este equipo por 5 o 6 anos! No lo quiero!”
551, is that Spanish for Why can’t I get run support through five or six innings and be five and oh?
552, indirectly, yes.
My translation’s pretty rough, took German in high school.
With Adrian flying out, there goes our best chance to get back into it.
Hanson is PH – its towel time.
Ballgame.
That blew, I hate extra innings.
Damn that Anderson kid of the Sox. If it weren’t for him, Felix would have had a shut out and a win. Oh well. Back to the sad reality of the M’s. Good night to those of you in America.
Well this game started out with a lot of high energy and excitement, but it really sucked for the last hour or so. The Ms have one pitcher and no offense – sigh. Nite all.
See ya.